Drive-chain



(ModL) 11. 1). MQKERNAN;

DRIVE CHAIN.

No: 258,863. Patented MayBO, 1882 #bwenfm": I

N. PETERS. Photvljlhognphur. Walhingicll, o a

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DENNIS D. MOKERNAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DRIVE-CHAIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 258,863, dated May 30, 1882.

' Application filed March4,1882. (Model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DENNIs D. MOKERNAN, a citizen of theUnited States, residing in Ghicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful 1m provements in Drive-Chains, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in drive-chains in which the links are detachably connected together; and it relates to a novel means for locking the links against accidental detachment when in their operative position on the sprocket-wheels. I attain this object by devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a longitudinal section through links embodying Inyinvention; Fig. 2, a plan view ofthe same; Fig. 3, a side elevation of the links when in position to attach or detach them, the operative position of the links being indicated in dotted lines; and Fig. 4, a longitudinal section of links embodying a modification of my invention.

Similar letters of reference indicate the same parts in the several figures of the drawings.

A represents an open rectangular link, the side bars of which are provided at one end and upon their upper face with projections or lugs a a, rising above the same and above the adjacent end bar. The opposite end of these side bars are joined by an end bar provided with a longitudinal rib or lug, a, and a hook, I), cast therewith, which hook has its point rising above the face of the body ofthe link, said rib or lug forming an extension of the throat of the hook. This hook and rib are grooved to receive a key, a, concave on its under side to correspond with the convexity of the end bar of the adjacent link operating in the book; but it may here be stated that I do not confine myself to the exact form of key shown, and

consequently the form of grooves required to receive it. It will be observed that when the key is in its operative position its under face is in a plane substantially with that of the' body of the link. Hence when the links are in their operative position the lugs are in a. plane above the under face of the key, and the key is therefore prevented from accidental dc tachment from the throat oft-he hook, and the two links are thus effectually locked together.

By reference to Fig. 3 it will be seen. that by holding the links at a right angle to each other, which position they cannot possibly assume when in operation, the keymay be pushed out or in to release or connect the links, as the case may be, and the links are thus quickly attached or detached without the exercise of any considerable skill.

In Fig. 4 the modification shown exhibits the hook with external grooves and the key of a T form adapted to engage withthe grooves. Otherwise the construction and operation of the two forms are identical.

Among the advantages of my construction are their simplicity and economy of construction and operation by reason of the fact that all of the parts may be cast and require little or no finishing, and that by closing the throat of the link in the manner described and shown the locking of the hook is not only effective, but dust and other obstructions are excluded from the bearings of every link in the chain.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s--- 1. In a detachable link, the combination, with the hook and with a lug on the end bar, ot'a key fitting in grooves abutting against and forming substantially a uniform continuation of the point of the hook and the end bar, and adapted to close the throat of the hook, substantially as described.

2. In a drive-chain, a link one end of the side bars of which are provided with lugs proj ectin g above the same, and their opposite ends joined by a hook, in combination with a removable key closing the throat of the hook, substantially as described.

3. The link A, provided with the lugs a a,

and the hook I), having its point provided with internal grooves, in combination with the end bar and its grooved rib, and the key 0, fitting 

